PAC Policy Analysis & Evaluation 3

Question 1

When conducting a multi-criteria analysis (MCA), assigning weights to criteria most directly reflects:

Accepted Answer

The relative importance of different values or objectives

Answer

Weights in MCA express how much decision-makers value each criterion relative to others, making value trade-offs explicit.

Question 2

Which term describes the unintended side effects of a policy that affect parties outside the direct target population?

Accepted Answer

Spillover effects (externalities)

Answer

Spillover effects, or externalities, are costs or benefits borne by third parties not directly targeted by the policy.

Question 3

In the policy cycle, 'agenda setting' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The process by which issues gain government attention

Answer

Agenda setting is the stage where social problems become recognized as public issues worthy of government action.

Question 4

A policy analyst uses a difference-in-differences (DiD) approach. The key identifying assumption is:

Accepted Answer

Treatment and control groups would have followed parallel trends absent the intervention

Answer

DiD requires that, without the policy, both groups would have changed at the same rate (parallel trends), so any divergence after treatment is attributable to the policy.

Question 5

Which type of policy instrument relies primarily on providing or withholding financial incentives rather than mandating behavior?

Accepted Answer

Economic incentives

Answer

Economic incentives (taxes, subsidies, grants) alter behavior through financial rewards or penalties without legally requiring a specific action.

(PAC) Policy Analyst Certification Practice Test

(PAC) Policy Analyst Certification Practice Test

PAC Policy Analysis & Evaluation 3